Sports update: Duke stunned by Mercer in NCAA tournament

Jakob Gollon scored 20 points and Mercer pulled off the biggest upset in the NCAA tournament so far

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By The Associated Press

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By The Associated Press

Posted Mar. 21, 2014 at 6:58 PM

By The Associated Press

Posted Mar. 21, 2014 at 6:58 PM

RALEIGH, N.C. — Jakob Gollon scored 20 points and Mercer pulled off the biggest upset in the NCAA tournament so far by knocking off Duke 78-71 on Friday in the second round.

The 14th-seeded and senior-laden Bears scored 11 straight points during the late 20-5 run that clinched the biggest victory in school history. It was the second one-and-done in three years for the third-seeded Blue Devils.

Mercer, which came back from five points down in the last 4:52, won the Atlantic Sun conference championship. That's the same conference that produced 2013 tournament darling Florida Gulf Coast.

Duke went up 63-58 with 4:52 left after freshman Jabari Parker converted a three-point play and Tyler Thornton hit three free throws.

Duke didn't score again until the final minute. The Bears hit 12 of 14 free throws in the final 2 minutes and finished 23 of 28 from the line.

SOUTH REGIONAL

STANFORD 58, NEW MEXICO 53

ST. LOUIS — Chasson Randle scored 23 points and Stanford made an impression in its first NCAA appearance since 2008.

The 10th-seeded Cardinal (22-12) built an early 16-point lead then held on after No. 7 seed New Mexico rallied to tie it midway through the second half. They got four crucial free throws from reserve Robbie Lemons and Randle in the final half-minute after New Mexico had cut the deficit to two points.

Cameron Bairstow had 24 points and eight rebounds but the Lobos (27-7) got off-days from their other top threats. Kendall Williams and Alex Kirk, who together average 30 points, combined for just six.